A pair of Sharjah’s vaunted summer signings suffered disastrous debuts as Adrian Mierzejewski missed a penalty and Digao scored an own goal as Al Wasl condemned them to a 1-0 Arabian Gulf Cup-defeat.

In a battle of freshly-installed coaches, Giorgos Donis saw his troops culpable as Rodolfo Arruabarrena emerged with three points from this Group A-clash.

The King were gifted the perfect chance to go ahead in the 14th minute when Abdulla Saleh clumsily felled Jamal Maroof in the area. But Poland playmaker Mierzejewski, 29, slammed his effort against the crossbar.

After Brazilian forward Fabio De Lima had twice come close at the opposite end, the hosts at Zabeel Stadium went ahead in comical fashion just past the hour mark. Centre-back Digao tried to cushion the  ball back to goalkeeper Abdulla Yousif, but instead awkwardly propelled it into his net.

Meanwhile, maverick playmaker Jorge Valdivia endured a typically-eventful evening in the same section as holders Al Wahda surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Abu Dhabi-neighbours Al Jazira.

Valdivia, 32, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with  a sweet shot. Fellow South American Sebastian Tagliabue then struck to make it 2-0 at the break.

New recruit Mbark Boussoufa smashed in on 50 minutes to give hope for the hosts, with Fares Juma soon heading in the leveller. Valdivia and Salem Abdulla were then later sent off in separate incidents to see the derby finish 10 v 10.